6.5-MAG QUAKE SHAKES VISAYAS
Tremor hits Cebu, Bohol, Leyte at past 4 p.m. Thursday; Leyte takes brunt of damage with 1 person reported Intensity less in Cebu; no tsunami threat, says Phivolcs; power disruptions to occur: Veco
A magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck the town of Jaro, Leyte around 4 p.m. yesterday.
While damage to infrastructure was felt in some parts of Eastern Visayas, local officials reported no damage in areas under Cebu Province.
Based on the report provid- ed by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), the earthquake's epicenter was located 13 kilometers south of Jaro, with a depth of two kilometers.
The earthquake was tectonic in origin. (A tectonic earthquake occurs when the shifting of the Earth's plates is driven by a geological force.)
Reported intensities were felt in different parts of Visayas and Mindanao.
The tremor that was felt in Cebu City and Mandaue City was an Intensity 5; in Bogo City and Talisay City, an Intensity 3; and in Lapu-Lapu City, an Intensity 2.
Phivolcs said the quake posed no tsunami threats, but damage is expected. Shallow earthquakes generally cause more damage on the Earth's surface, said experts.
Power interruptions are expected in various parts of the Visayas after the quake affected power generators in the region.
In a statement, Quennie Bronce, Visayan Electric Company's reputation enhancement officer, said that Cebu will expe- rience power interruptions due to the quake's effect on Leyte's power generators.
In Cebu City, the tremor sent workers and students out of their offices and classrooms.
Employees of the Mandaue City Hall also evacuated their building, while the Cebu Normal University and the University of the Visayas (UV) suspended afternoon classes.
Quennie Relatores, UV chief security officer, said that the school is holding its annual fire and earthquake drill next week.
Relatores said that after the students had safely evacuated, UV president and Talisay City Mayor Eduardo Gullas sent the students home.
Yesterday's quake destroyed a building in Kananga town, which is located next to Jaro.
Kananga Vice Mayor Elmer Codilla said 10 people were injured when the building collapsed, and several others were trapped.
"There's an ongoing rescue," he told dzMM radio.
Codilla said he was not aware how many people were in the building, which had a grocery store and a beauty parlor on the ground floor. Police said it had two floors.
Power was also cut in Tacloban City and other parts of Leyte, said Gov. Dominic Petilla in a television interview. /